Chapter 3

3 I was more like a pet bird than a husband �C a plaything to keep her amused when she was bored.

I’d barely sat down at my desk when Sarah walked over.

""What were you doing in his office for so long?"" She eyed me suspiciously.

""Nothing.""

I tried to ignore her and focus on my work, but she tapped her manicured nails on my desk.

""Come to my office.""

As soon as I stepped inside, I was hit by a wave of cloying men’s cologne. It made me nauseous. How vain could someone be? It was practically lethal.

And I’d often smelled the same scent on Sarah.

There was a new desk next to Sarah's. The project folder on top had Liam's name on it.

In the open drawer, I saw several unused condom packets.

I scoffed. My heart felt numb.

Sarah noticed my gaze and quickly covered Liam’s name, then offered a flimsy excuse. ""Don't get the wrong idea. Liam is still learning the ropes. These are important contracts, so I had him move his desk next to mine so we can work together.”

""I always keep my professional and personal life separate.""

I laughed.

Separate?

Only when it came to me, apparently.

I remembered when I first started as her assistant, she told me to stay out of her office and not disturb her work.

Now, Liam was practically living in there. It was ridiculous.

But it didn't matter anymore.

I was leaving.

""Just tell me what you want.""

""Last night…""

""Last night I was just so tired, and you wouldn't open the door, so I accidentally fell asleep in Liam's room. Don't overthink it.""

She looked so anxious, as if she’d committed some terrible crime. I shrugged. ""Okay. If that’s all, I’ll get back to work, Ms. Mitchell.""

She flinched at the formal address.

""Do you have to be so difficult?""

She was clearly surprised by my change in tone. I used to call her “honey” even when she insisted on keeping things professional.

Now, I didn’t care.

She’d never treated me with respect, so why should I bother?

We were getting divorced. “Ms. Mitchell” seemed appropriate.

""Fine,"" she sighed. ""Professionalism at work is good.""

""I wanted to ask you… could you hand over your current project to Liam? Give him some experience.""

""Young people should be given opportunities. It shows initiative, just like I had."" She smiled dreamily.

When I didn’t respond, her smile faltered. ""It’s just one project. Can't you let him have it?""

Just one project?

I scoffed.

She had no idea how much work I’d poured into this project. It was almost finished, and she wanted me to give it to Liam as a practice run?

""This project is my life’s work right now.""

Sarah thought for a moment. ""What if… what if I visit Grandma with you? I know she’d love for us both to have dinner with her. If you give Liam this project, I'll go with you. How about that?""

""I’ll make sure you get a better project later, I promise.""

I cut him off and walked past him. He smirked, as if to say, “See? I get everything I want.”

“Your wife loves me, not you.”

I ignored him.